Overland Paraguay Travel

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Visiting Paraguay

South America's least visited country Spanish speaking country is in itself a reason to go. The people are always delighted to see tourists because they are such a rarity, we've not met more hospitable folk. Huge diversity of ethnic backgrounds and fascinating history. First country in South America to build railways (with British engineers). Great Spanish speaking route from Brazil's Pantanal to Brazil's Iguazu Falls for those who find Portuguese confusing. Worlds 2nd largest dam, anyone? Ok, I'm out

Entering Paraguay with a Car or Motorbike

Correct as of: (November 2015)

Required Paperwork

(To check if you need a travel Visa for Paraguay, application instructions and fees see: Paraguay Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)
EU nationals do not need a visa. US and various others do. Visa in advance only. In Bolivia, Paraguayan Embassy in La Paz and Consulate in Santa Cruz both said visas officially take 3 days but they could usually get them processed the following day.

Process at border

Ponta Pora, Brazil to Juan Pedro Caballero, Paraguay. These are basically two towns that act as one and the border runs straight through the middle. You need to find all the offices and they are spread out. Brazil side, get your exit stamp from the immigration office in the Aeroporto Internacional de Ponta Pora from the immigration window on the left end near departures. You don't require vehicle paperwork for Brazil so no need to visit customs. Paraguay side, Migración is in a large Y shaped building (as seen on Google Maps satellite image) west, south-west from where Campeones del 65 (Route 5) meets Avenue International. They weren't busy and it didn't take long. Aduana is 1km further west on the corner of Jose Gaspar R De Francia and R Juan E Oleary. Unlike Migración, there is a big sign on the building. First floor office, again, not much going on. Very polite and interested in our journey. Both buildings are facing Brazil directly.

There is no immigration office in Bella Vista, so you'll need to go to Juan Pedro Caballero for paperwork anyway if you cross there.

Cost of entry

No charge for vehicle entry and you get the same amount of time as your entry stamp

Permitted length of stay

As long as your immigration stamp. Max 90 days

Extension of stay

Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.

Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country

Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.

Exiting with a vehicle

Describe the paperwork requirements and process at the border to exit.

Driving in Paraguay

Recommended books for Overlanding in Paraguay

Lonely Planet South America On A Shoestring (travel Gu...
Lonely Planet South America On A Shoestring (travel Gu...
by Lonely Planet, Regis St Louis, Sandra Bao, Celeste...
From $15.80 on Amazon
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
by Dan Grec
From $click on Amazon
Don't Go There. It's Not Safe. You'll Die. And Other M...
Don't Go There. It's Not Safe. You'll Die. And Other M...
by LifeRemotely.com
From $click on Amazon
Americas Overland - The Driving Handbook
Americas Overland - The Driving Handbook
by Donald Greene
From $29.95 on Amazon
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $22.49 on Amazon
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $click on Amazon
Paraguay Handbook (footprint - Handbooks)
Paraguay Handbook (footprint - Handbooks)
by Geoffrey Groesbeck
From $6.91 on Amazon

Travel insurance for Paraguay

World Nomads offer the most flexible Travel Insurance at the best prices for multi-country / multi-year trips. You can buy, extend and claim online, even after you've left home.

Vehicle insurance requirements

Paraguay has an obligatory SOAT insurance system much like elsewhere in South America. As a foreigner, if you have a MERCOSUR insurance policy covering Paraguay then you are exempt from the SOAT.

Cost of vehicle insurance

MERCOSUR Policy, $16.00 USD a month, bought in La Paz, Bolivia through Seguros Illimani. See Bolivia page.

Where to purchase vehicle insurance

Describe where insurance can be purchased.

Bold text==Driving license== We've used UK and US driving licenses only

Driving side of road

Right.
Unknown if RHD vehicles can be driven in Paraguay.

Mandatory items in vehicle

State any mandatory items that must be carried in the vehicle. (i.e. safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc.)

Roads

General Road quality

Main routes are generally In good condition for Latin American standards. Once off the main routes things can get tricky as most are unpaved, especially access roads to properties. Lots of mud when it rains. Roads between Ponta Pora & Concepción, Concepción & Ciudad de Este, Ciudad de Este & Encarnación fully paved. Between Santa Rosa de Aquaray and Laguna Blanca, it's 30km of unpaved sandy roads. We got through in a Toyota Corolla, but if it rains it gets nasty. A new road is being built but it's been several years in the making and is clearly several years from completion. Route 8 is unpaved south of Caazapa, so not possible for access to Encarnación. Nov 2015

Road signs

If you've come from Bolivia you'll be delighted, if you've been in Brazil... Bad times

Toll roads

Most Peajes we've seen have been in construction. From Ponta Pora to Encarnación we've paid 3 times, Gs10,000.00 PYG - Gs11,000.00 PYG. Most charge in one direction only

Bribery in Paraguay

We have found the Police to be interested and very helpful. We've not experienced bribery here

Checkpoints

High frequency of Police checkpoints across the country. They have little interest in stopping tourists, police cars can be seen at either side of most towns. We were only stopped once near the border at Pedro Juan Cabellero and they only asked to see passports, no car documents. Very polite and tranquillo

Traveling with pets

List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.

Gas price in Paraguay and Diesel price in Paraguay

Last updated: November 2015

Currency and unit to display:

Gasoline Grade Price
Unleaded €0.86 EUR per Liter[1]
Diesel €0.75 EUR per Liter[1]

Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency

Lots and lots. Price is not state controlled. Might be a problem in the Chaco, but we didn't go, so we don't know

Gas and Diesel Quality

Discuss if gasoline / diesel considered "clean" or "dirty", and generally high or low quality.
State the sulfur content of diesel, if known.

Safety and Security Considerations

Driving at night

Discuss driving at night and if it should it be avoided. Mention why.

link title==Vehicle parking== Traffic isn't an issue that we've experienced and we always leave the car parked in the street. No charges or problems finding space

Special driving considerations

A List of special things to be careful of (i.e. Unsigned speed bumps, abnormal road rules, people or animals on the road, etc.).
List any roads that are not recommended to drive for safety or other security reasons.

Security advisories and information

Camping in Paraguay

Cerro Cora National Park, camping is free. Minimal facilities. Many hostels and other places offer camping too.

Camping guide books

List and link to books specifically for camping.

Drinking water

Describe if the regular tap water is safe to drink. If not, describe where safe water can be purchased and the approximate average price range.

Navigation

Paper maps

Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Paraguay

Uruguay/paraguay
Uruguay/paraguay
by Reise Know-How Verlag
From $7.73 on Amazon
Argentina (national Geographic Adventure Map)
Argentina (national Geographic Adventure Map)
by National Geographic Maps - Adventure
From $7.49 on Amazon
1. Paraguay Travel Reference Map 1:800,000 (internatio...
1. Paraguay Travel Reference Map 1:800,000 (internatio...
by International Travel maps
From $10.36 on Amazon
Lonely Planet South America On A Shoestring (travel Gu...
Lonely Planet South America On A Shoestring (travel Gu...
by Lonely Planet, Regis St Louis, Sandra Bao, Celeste...
From $15.80 on Amazon

GPS Maps of Paraguay

GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Paraguay

  • iOverlander is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.

Link to sites that have a list of GPS co-ordinates (or directions) for camping locations (including "wild" campsites), propane filling, gas stations, repair shops, places of interest, etc.

Special Overland Travel interests

List any special items / places that are popular with Overlanders

Vehicle Maintenance

Dealers

4x4s / Trucks

Motorbikes

Local Garages

Add known good mechanics here.

Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Paraguay

Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle. List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.

Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'

References

Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.

  1. 1.0 1.1 World petrol prices, gas prices, diesel prices|MyTravelCost.com
  2. Proyecto Mapear

Helpful External links

Add any helpful external links here.